I have a question.. and I am sure someone will have an answer!

[Angels&Arrows]

This article came out in the Syracuse University Greek Community's Indepsendent Newspaper "Hermes."

It is a little long, so I will cut to the chase with my question... The quote below is in the article. I think it is wonderful that numbers for recruitment have almost doubled since last year at Syracuse.... BUT how in the world does that prevent 1/3 of the chapters from making quota? I am not sure what their recruitment policy is, however, I do not understand how this would cause less chapters to make quota? Below is the quote:

"Spring Recruitment, formerly and more commonly known as "Rush," begins next week with council leaders looking forward to about 1,000 potential fraternity and sorority members. If achieved, that number would dwarf last year's total of just 600 -- a turnout preventing one-third of the campus's Panhellenic Council sororities from making their quota."

Below is the full artivle:

IFC, Panhel anticipate recruitment increase
By Robyn Smith

Despite national trends showing fewer students joining the greek community, greek leaders at Syracuse University are anticipating a large recruitment this spring to compensate for last year's less-than-expected turnout.

Spring Recruitment, formerly and more commonly known as "Rush," begins next week with council leaders looking forward to about 1,000 potential fraternity and sorority members. If achieved, that number would dwarf last year's total of just 600 -- a turnout preventing one-third of the campus's Panhellenic Council sororities from making their quota.

Panhel stipulates that each chapter can only accept a certain number, or quota, of new members each spring after reviewing the amount of students who register for Recruitment.

As of Jan. 17, 300 students had registered for Panhel Recruitment, said Naomi Weinberg, the council's president.

As a result, Weinberg said, "We're expecting more women this year."

Panhel's adviser, Laurel Reed Rosch, also noted the increase in pre-Winter Break registrants.

"The numbers are higher than ever, prior to vacation," Reed Rosch said. "If the numbers keep going how they're going, chapters will be having a larger pledge class this year."

If this turnout reflects the number of new members Panhel chapters will accept this spring, SU will buck a national decrease in Panhellenic Conference membership.

The conference -- which is the umbrella organization for each campus Panhel council -- cited an increase in membership during 2001, but a greater overall decrease in the year previous. The conference noted the need for "an all out effort to attract more women to the system" in its October 2001 biennium report.

Members of SU's Panhel credit consistent promotion of the council and greater outreach efforts for the increase in this year's registration numbers.

"The sororities are working really hard this year and working together," Weinberg said. "We have such unity, it's amazing."

IFC Aspirations
Though operating under different Recruitment procedures, the Interfraternity Council anticipates a similar increase in new members, said Matt Goodman, IFC's co-recruitment chairman.

Less than 400 students participated in Recruitment last year, Goodman said, adding that "it was really low. We need to get that up."

IFC Recruitment registration began Jan. 20, however, more than a month after Panhel began its registration.

"It's a different process," Goodman said. "Panhel's recruitment is just over a week long, while ours lasts two days.

"It's less involved."

Goodman said he and his co-recruitment chairman Charlie Walker intend to use more advertising to entice students to join the greek community. The two council members plan on visiting residence halls and speaking with students personally.

Though "less involved" in the registration process, the IFC is changing its strategy this year to expand the recruitment process.

The council intends to provide more in-depth training for the Recruitment Counselors, also known as Rho Chis, including sessions on how to best answer greek-related questions and how to enjoy the responsibilities of being a Rho Chi.

"When I went through Rush last year, my Rho Chi seemed like he didn't want to be there," Goodman said. "We don't want guys to feel like they have to do this or be picked from their chapter to do it.

"They should want to be a Rho Chi."

A Different 'Rush'
Though commonly known to the majority of greeks at SU, terms like "Rho Chi" and "Recruitment" don't apply to National Pan-Hellenic, Latino Greek and Multicultural Greek Letter councils.

Chapters belonging to these councils participate in "intake," a process during which each chapter hosts a series of informational sessions on their respective fraternity or sorority.

Omega Phi Beta's Tanya Ortiz said these councils consider their intake similar to when a business hires its employees.

"When someone is looking for a job, the job doesn't go to them," said Ortiz, president of her chapter.

And like most job interviews, formal attire is always required.

If a potential member is interested in a chapter, he or she attends the session to learn more about becoming involved.

During the session, chapter representatives are able to give insight into their respective local and national operations, as well as answer any questions from the attendees.

Once a potential member informs a chapter of his or her intent to be online -- a term synonymous with pledging -- that student is expected to do the necessary research on that particular chapter.

The pledge process, though different for each chapter, then begins.

"Omega Phi Beta has an above-ground pledge period, unlike chapters in NPHC," Ortiz said.

While pledges are online, they wear gear and march on campus -- an act that Ortiz is quick to separate from hazing as all participants are volunteering to do so.

"The girls do nothing against their will," she said. "While undergoing the process, they are taught the meaning behind everything they do."

The pledge process lasts up to six weeks, according to SU's policy on new member periods.

While Panhel and IFC outline membership goals each spring, the other three councils do not, preferring to focus on upholding fraternal ideals rather than quotas.

But that doesn't negate the need for more campus visibility, said Tomas Gonzalez, the councils' adviser.

"Many are beginning the process earlier" this semester, Gonzalez said. "This will allow them to get their positive message out with plenty of time before the University New Member Period begins."